UNDP Jobs - 63532- Project Manager,

Project Manager,

Location :

Dushanbe, TAJIKISTAN

Type of Contract :

FTA International

Starting Date :

01-May-2016

Application Deadline :

18-Feb-16 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

P-4

Duration of Initial Contract :

1 year initially

Languages Required :

English Russian

Expected Duration of Assignment :

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence. UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

Background

In December 2015, UNDP Tajikistan has launched Phase I of the ‘Support to Civil Registration Reform in Tajikistan’ project that builds on (a) the outcomes of the Functional Review of Civil Registration Offices initiated by UNDP Tajikistan in 2014 under the ongoing ‘Access to Justice in Tajikistan’ project funded by SDC, and also (b) the extensive consultations with the state institutions at the national and local levels, UN Agencies, international and local NGOs, as well as the population. The project is in line with the Judicial and Legal Reform Programme of the Government of Tajikistan (2015-2017) and directly contributes to implementation of the ongoing reform of civil registration offices (ZAGS).
The project will be implemented by UNDP in close cooperation with the Ministry of Justice. The project will work with the different actors at different levels to make civil registry institutions and mechanisms more responsive to the populations needs and more functional, by developing capacities among the relevant institutions and stakeholders and by simplifying and standardization the processes. This will include more refined capacity development approaches and creating strategic partnerships with other institutions, such as the jamoat bodies, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Health and Social Protection, and the Ministry of Interior. The project will adopt a human rights based approach and will work on both the supply and demand sides of civil registration service provision enabling each side to substantively contribute to implementation of the civil registration reform process.

Overall the Project management responsibility will be with UNDP Tajikistan. Other UN Agencies and INGOs active in civil registration area will also be engaged based on their comparative advantages. The Project will be implemented from January 2016 to December 2023 in two phases.
The International Project Manager (PM) will report to the Deputy Country Director and will work in close coordination and cooperation with Assistant Resident Representative/Programme and respective Programme Analyst. He/she will assist the Government, programme team and CO to deliver on the envisaged project results. The PM is the lead international expert in the area of civil registration reforms. The PM will maximize efforts to achieve expected programmatic results, by providing strategic guidance for the implementation of activities in accordance with the signed Project Document. The PM will ensure that the principles of human rights based approach, gender equality, conflict sensitive management, results-based management (RBM), as well as a client-oriented approach consistent with UNDP rules and regulations are applied and promoted consistently.

The PM will work in close collaboration with the Programme, Operations, Communications and other project teams in the Country Office (CO) for effective achievement of results, anticipating and resolving complex programme related issues. While doing so, the incumbent is expected to exercise full compliance with UNDP programming, financial, procurement and administrative rules, regulations, policies and strategies, as well as implementation of the effective internal control systems.

Duties and Responsibilities

Summary of Key Functions:

Policy and Technical advice;
Programme management, including resource mobilisation;
Knowledge management.

Policy and technical advice: The incumbent will provide policy advice to the Government as well as to the partners of the programme, in the following areas:

Provide policy advice on the ongoing civil registration reforms and ensure the optimal design and sequencing necessary for enhancing the existing legal framework and institutional strengthening;
Prepare policy briefs, strategic notes, discussion papers on emerging civil registration related issues, for consideration by the government and other stakeholders;
Identify, discuss and share with national partners the international best practices on implementation of civil registration reforms through participatory processes and techniques involving civil society, women and minority groups; Systematically ensure that relevant experiences and lessons learnt inform the implementation of the ongoing civil registration reforms in Tajikistan;
Technical support in designing national policies and regulatory/frameworks to enhance the quality of civil registration services;
Plan and carry out capacity gaps assessment and ensure the design and delivery of focused response programmes (training, on-the-job training, coaching, ToT, etc) to enhance the capacity of the Ministry of Justice and subordinated institutions such as Civil Status Registration office (ZAGS) to Implement Laws and Human Rights Recommendations and International Standards;
Design and conduct feasibility studies to define the most optimal options for effective delivery of civil registration services in Tajikistan;
Provide ‘know how’ and knowledge transfer on the civil registration related issues;
Support the establishment of monitoring frameworks and provide ongoing feedback and technical backstopping and regularly monitor progress towards the identified indicators.

Programme management:

The incumbent will:

Proactively identify potential sources of funding and mobilise resources for the programme through development of concept notes and funding proposals to the potential donors and promoting project deliverables at the relevant development platforms;
Develop annual work plans and execute programme activities in consultation with the UNDP CO and the ‘Support to Civil Registration Reform in Tajikistan‘ Project Steering Committee. Ensure adherence to the programme work plan in line with the Project Document, prepare revisions if required, and ensure synergies with other donor funded initiatives focused on civil registration;
Ensure conformity of results with the Programme Document and UNDP rules and procedures through budget preparation and management, planning and general monitoring of the project;
Establish and maintain sound partnerships with the Government, namely Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Tajikistan, donors and other strategic partners; Liaise with programme partners to ensure their co-financing contributions are provided within the agreed terms;
Ensure adequate information flow, discussions and feedback among the various stakeholders of the ‘Support to Civil Registration Reform in Tajikistan‘ Project according to the agrred management arrangements;
Ensure timely planning and implementation of the envisaged baseline surveys, annual action research and project evaluations to inform project level planning and decision making;
Prepare regular progress reports in line with reporting schedule, as well as any other reports requested by UNDP, donors, Government and or other stakeholders;
Monitor the project expenditures, commitments and balance of funds under the programme budget lines, and draft programme budget revisions in accordance and cooperation with UNDP’s ATLAS system including the reporting on programme funds and related record keeping;
Ensure timely recruitment and procurement of quality services and equipment and also implementation of programme activities in line with applicable rules, regulation and standards;
Represent the programme at the Steering Committee meetings, technical meetings and other appropriate fora in coordination with UNDP.

Knowledge Management:

The PM will contribute to building the corporate body of knowledge in UNDP in the area of civil registration, by:

Systematically sharing knowledge with colleagues;
Ensuring that relevant experiences and lessons learnt elsewhere in the region or world-wide guide the implementation of ‘Support to Civil Registration Reform in Tajikistan‘ Project.

The key results will have a major impact on the implementation of the ‘Support to Civil Registration Reform in Tajikistan‘ Project and will ensure that UNDP delivers high quality technical assistance and coherent policy direction to the Government of Tajikistan informed by the experiences and lessons learnt from the project.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
Considers and fully adheres to UNDP rules, procedures and best practices;
Advocates and promotes the vision, mission and strategic goals of the UN system;
Displays cultural, gender, religious, ethnic and age sensitivity and adaptability;
Treats people fairly and without favoritism.

Technical / Functional Competencies:

The PM will be an experienced professional with demonstrated track record in providing sound technical support and policy advice to Government and justice sector institutions and projects/programmes in the area of rule of law and access to justice;
The PM will have experience in designing policy and legal frameworks in the area of access to justice and strong familiarity of rule of law and justiice sector;
S/he has extensive experience in advising high level government officials in appropriate policies, strategies and system that can be instutionalized and sustained;
Demonstrated deep technical and practical knowledge of rule of law, access to justice/justice sector;
Demonstrated knowledge and application of Human Rights Based Approach and gender mainstreaming;
Proven analytical capacity and strategic thinking;
Ability for planning and establishing priorities, coordinating and monitoring the work of others, and delegating responsibility where appropriate;
Excellent interpersonal and supervisory skills;
Resourcefulness, initiative, and maturity of judgment;
Excellent communications, organizational and management skills in a complex multistakeholder environment;
Ability to handle effectively multiple tasks without compromising quality, team spirit and positive working relationships.

Knowledge Management and Learning:

Promote a knowledge sharing and learning culture in the office;
In-depth knowledge of development issues;
Ability to advocate and provide advice;
Actively works towards continuing personal learning and development, acts on learning plan and applies on newly acquired skills.

Job Knowledge:

Understands more advanced aspects of primary area of specialization as well as the fundamental concepts of related disciplines;
Serves as internal consultant in the area of expertise and shares knowledge with staff;
Continues to seek new and improved methods and systems for accomplishing the work of the unit;
Keeps abreast of new developments in area of professional discipline and job knowledge and seeks to develop him/herself professionally;
Demonstrates comprehensive knowledge of information technology and applies it in work assignments.

Development and Operational Effectiveness:

Ability to build and lead teams effectively, mentoring team members well, inspiring confidence in others, managing matrices fluidly by encouraging inter-agency collaboration;
Build strong relationships with both internal and external actors; cultivate productive relationship with donors, partners and other important institutions and individuals;
Ability to lead implementation of new systems (business side), and affect staff behavioral/attitudinal change.

Leadership and Self-Management:

Strong results orientation;
Lead teams effectively and shows conflict resolution skills;
Takes initiative and calculated risks;
Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
Demonstrates strong oral and written communications skills;
Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities;
Effective problem-solver;
Demonstrated capacity-building and facilitation skills;
Ability to establish effective working relations in a multicultural team environment;
Effectively manages teams and creates an enabling work environment;
Flexible and responsive with a client-oriented approach.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Master Degree in law, public administration, economics or related areas.

Experience:

At least 7 years of professional experience in design and management of comprehensive judicial and legal reforms. Experience in supporting civil registration reforms is a strong advantage;
At least 5 years of which experience in managing complex development programmes focused on civil registration related reforms;
Demonstrated success in ensuring an advisory role in the area of civil registration in a complex institutional setting. Demonstrated experience in policy advice and development in the area of civil registration, capacity building and project implementation;
Previous experience in working high level government officials and wide range of donors. Experience in resource mobilisation is a MUST;
Good general knowledge about Tajikistan, Central Asia and its development context in rule of law and access to justice in general and civil registration in particular;
Strong communication and negotiation skills. Experience in developing strategic notes, policy papers and briefs for the Governments of developing countries is required;
Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc) and advance knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages, experience in handling of web based management systems.

Language:

Fluency in English is a must;
Knowledge of Russian and/or Tajik would be a strong advantage.